Traffic signal for vehicles



May 8, 1923.

H. J. COLLINS TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES Filed July 27, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwuenkw H, J 00mm.

May '8, 1923.

H. J. COLLINS TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 27,

gwvenfoz J 602E115 Patented May 8, i923.

ENIIZEE HENRY J. cotcmns, or rn-ovinnncn, niionn ISLAND.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES.

Application filed July 27,

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY J. CoLLnvs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Iihode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a EMU lit; Signal for Vehicles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a traffic signal or direction indicator for vehicles, particu-. larly automobiles.

It is generally aimed to provide a novel construction which is readily attachable to existing automobiles as to the filling cap of the radiator for its propelling engine and adapted for manipulation from a point adj acent the drivers seat.

It is further aimed to provide a novel construction, essentially having a bolt to mount an indicator sleeve and a casing for gears and a shaft to operate such sleeve.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating one practical embodiment.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a view illustrating an automobile principally in side elevation, partly broken away, to disclose the attachment of my improvement thereto;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the parts of Fi ure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view looking toward the instrument board and the operating means for the traffic signal;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale taken through my improvement and at a right angle to Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective View showing the parts forming the signal proper in disassembled relation to disclose details.

Like reference characters designate like or similar parts in the difi'erent views.

In reducing the invention to practice, a rod 10 is provided for vertical disposition and which may be a bolt having a usual head 11 at its upper end and its lower end screw threaded as at 12 whereby it may be detachably secured in a cap 13 which forms the removable cap for the filling opening of the radiator 14 employed on an automo- 1922. Serial Ho. 577,870.

r bile generally designated A and in the-water cooling system of its propelling engine as usual.

Anindicator arm of any preferred shape is employed at 15 having an attaching tube 16 which is rigidly secured to a sleeve 17' which depends below the tube 16 iii-order to provide a shoulder at 18; lieyed or otherwise fastened on the sleeve 17 is a beveled gear wheel 19 adapted to be'drivenby'a beveled gear wheel 20. Said gear wheels 19 and 20 are enclosed and protected by a Gas ing as at 21 which is preferably made in a plurality of sections 22 detachably bolted or otherwise secured together as at 23. Said casing has upper and lower bearing extensions 24c and 25. rect engagement and bearing contact with the extension 242 as shown. Extension 25 rests on a jam nut 26 which isscrewe'd up against the'same and intermediate the same and cap 13.

Gear wheel 20 is keyed to a shaft 27 which passes through and is journaled in a bearing opening 28 in one of the sections22/ The shoulder 18 is in an at 31. Shaft 27 is journaied in an opening 32 of said plate 30 and a manipulating or crank arm 33 is rigidly fastened to the inner end of shaft 27 and has a knob or thelike 3e extending therefrom to facilitate manipulation. Crank 33 carries a securing plate 35 which is in the nature of a blade of spring metal adapted to normally frictionally bear against the plate 30 and thus maintain the crank and operating parts in the different adjusted positions. Arm 33 is slightly resilient so that upon depression of the knob 3a the frictional action of securing plate 35 with the plate 30 will be destroyed and the crank 33 capable of movement to rock the shaft 2'7. It is clear of course that any means may be substituted for that shown in order to secure the parts positioned to the plate 30.

In operation, the parts are arranged so that the indicator 15 will normally point straight ahead.- When a turn is to be made,

the crank 33 is turned in the appropriate direction so that the indicator 15 will accordingly turn to the right or left and specifically through the rocking of shaft 27, the coaction of gear wheels 19 and 20, the r0- tation of sleeve 17 on rod 10 through movement of the gear wheel 19.

As merely one practical embodiment has been illustrated and described, it is to be uncasing, and said rod extending below said fastening member tor attachment to a sup port.

2. A tratfic s gnal including rod having a head, an ndicator 3ourna c. on said rod and in contact with said he: d, casing surrounding said rod, said indicator having a sleeve extending into said casing, a gear wheel on said sleeve within said casing, a driving shaft extending into said casing, a gear Wheel on said driving shaft in mesh with the first mentioned gear wheel, a nut screw threaded on said rod below and upholding said casing, and screw threads on said rod extending below said nut for at tach nent of the rod to a support.

3. A traific signal including a rod provided with a head, an indicator having a tube, a

sleeve within and depending from said indicator and journaled on said rod, acasing surrounding said rod, said casing having upper and lower extensions, said tube resting on said upper extensions, said sleeve extendin into the casing, a gear wheel on said sleeve within the casing, a shaft. journaled in and extending into the casing, a driving connection between the second mentioned shaft and said gear wheel, said rod being provided with screw threads, a nut operable on said screw threads to contact with the lower extension, and said hreads projecting below said nut for attachment to a support.

A. t-atlic signal including a rod provided with a head, an indicator having a tube, a sleeve within and depending from.

said indicator and journaled on said rod, a casing surrounding said rod, saidcasing hav-. upper and lower extensions, said tube on said upper extensions, said sleeve extending into the casing, a gear wheel on said sleeve within the casing, a shaft jour-,

naled in and extending into the'casing, a driving connection between the second mentioned shaft and said gear wheel, said rod being proncled with screw threads, a nut operable on said screw threads to contact with the lower extension, and s -id threads projecting below said nut for attachment to a support, a plate in which said .sha'l t is ournaled, a crank arrn on said shaft, and a securing ineinber on said crank arin foizeoaction with said plate.

In testimony whereof I aliixmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

Mn. HENRY J. CQL INS. W esses:

HARVE Annnn Bacon, AvILA I'LLEDOUX. 

